Campgrounds near Lovingston, Virginia offer diverse settings throughout the Blue Ridge foothills, with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,500 feet. Most camping areas experience temperature swings of 20-30 degrees between day and night, particularly during spring and fall seasons. Campsites along streams and near lakes remain particularly popular during summer months when water activities provide relief from temperatures that regularly exceed 85°F.
What to do
Hiking nearby waterfalls: Crabtree Falls Campground sits one mile from Virginia's tallest cascading waterfall. "The falls are a great hike and there are lots of services nearby. A great Parkway stop," notes a visitor who appreciated the proximity to Blue Ridge Parkway and nearby towns.
Fishing in mountain ponds: Several campgrounds maintain stocked fishing ponds that don't require extensive gear. At Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park, campers can fish in the lake without leaving the property. "Really cool set up clean campground. The people are nice and the so are the views. The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" advises one reviewer.
Brewery tours: The area features multiple breweries within short driving distance of campsites. Devils Backbone Camp offers direct trail access to its brewery. "A short walk through the tent area brought you to the large brewery area. This area includes a brewpub, large outdoor seating area with fire pits and an outdoor stage," explains a camper who appreciated the convenience.
What campers like
River proximity: Many campsites feature water access as their most appreciated amenity. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," shares a visitor who enjoyed the natural sound barrier.
Well-maintained bathhouses: Facilities at several campgrounds receive consistent praise for cleanliness. "The bathhouse was close and clean with laundry and dump site next to it. They pick up trash each morning and have propane refill, if needed," notes a Walnut Hills camper.
Honor system amenities: Several campgrounds maintain trust-based services. One reviewer at Devils Backbone Camp mentioned, "They provide firewood on the honor system," while another campground visitor appreciated, "A lot of things are bought on the trust system (pay for what you use for firewood, put store items on a tab until check out)."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. Thousand Trails Lynchburg operates from "April 28 to October 29," according to their official information, while other facilities maintain limited winter availability.
Wildlife encounters: Bears are active throughout the region, particularly during spring and summer. "A young bear was repeatedly visiting site A9 up the road from me and I had to chase him off when he came near my site!" warns a camper at Sherando Lake Campground.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. "No phone signal and wifi was a joke but that's not a bad thing!" notes a visitor at Stoney Creek Resort, highlighting the disconnected nature of mountain camping that many guests actually prefer.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several family-oriented campgrounds provide dedicated play areas. Glen Maury Park offers "a playground that is very nice! They offer entertainment on weekends and some other times of the year," according to one family's experience.
Swimming options: Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley maintains a swimming lake with recreational facilities. "During the week, the campground slows down a bit, but on the weekends, it is completely full. There are a lot of kiddos riding bicycles, hover boards, scooters, and skateboards around the loops," notes a visitor describing the family atmosphere.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer organized activities with learning components. "They also have activities during the summer like outdoor movies and live music," explains a camper describing family-friendly evening options.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement challenges: At some rv sites near Lovingston, Virginia, connections are positioned in non-standard locations. "If you were on an odd number site, you either had to hope you had the length on your water and power lines to run to the opposite side of your rig or you had to pull into the site the opposite way," explains a Devils Backbone camper.
Extended-stay discounts: Several campgrounds offer significant savings for longer commitments. "Did get a PassPort America discount," mentions a Stoney Creek Resort visitor who found savings on their overnight stay.
Seasonal site selection: Different camping loops offer varying experiences throughout the year. A Sherando Lake visitor notes, "Both of the RV loops are very flat and open, with little shade or privacy between sites. They have electric hookups and drinking water available, but do not have water hookups."
